JB Insights
Limelight is built on the pillars of innovation, ethics, and education
Pooja Madhavan, Founder & MD– Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, speaking to JewelBuzz offers compelling insights into the lab grown diamonds (LGDs)sector. She says that LGDs are increasingly being positioned not as rivals to natural diamonds, but as complementary alternatives that align with evolving consumer values. She said that
Limelight is built on the pillars of innovation, ethics, and education. Brands like Limelight emphasize accessibility, ethical sourcing, and modern luxury, allowing consumers to choose larger or more innovative designs without sacrificing quality or emotional value.
How would you describe the current state of the lab-grown diamond market in India?
The lab-grown diamond market in India is in a transformative phase. What started as a niche segment has now entered mainstream awareness, especially over the last 2–3 years. Consumers are more informed, curious, and open to alternatives that offer the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds but with added benefits in terms of value, ethics, and sustainability. The industry is experiencing double-digit growth, and we’re just beginning to tap into its full potential.
How are lab-grown diamonds positioned in relation to natural diamonds — are they competing or complementing?
At Limelight, we don’t view lab-grown diamonds as a competitor to natural diamonds, but rather as a complementary choice that meets the evolving preferences of today’s consumer. While natural diamonds continue to hold deep cultural and emotional value, lab-grown diamonds provide an accessible luxury, often allowing consumers to upgrade in size or design without compromising on quality or ethics.
What strategies are LGD brands using to build trust in a market long dominated by natural diamonds?
Transparency and education are at the heart of our strategy. We actively engage in consumer awareness campaigns, retail training, and influencer collaborations to dispel myths and explain the science and sustainability behind lab-grown diamonds. Certification by reputed gemological institutes like IGI and SGL also ensures credibility. Trust builds when customers understand that LGDs are not imitations but real diamonds created through advanced technology.
Which consumer segments are driving demand for lab-grown diamonds in India — Gen Z, millennials, or value-conscious families?
We’re seeing strong traction from Gen Z and millennial consumers, particularly those in metro cities who are environmentally conscious, digitally savvy, and financially astute. However, it’s not just limited to the younger demographic. Increasingly, value-conscious families are also recognizing the benefits of lab-grown diamonds, especially for occasions like weddings and milestone gifting.
Are you seeing growing demand from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, or is it still urban-centric?
While the early adoption was definitely urban-centric, the narrative is now shifting. Thanks to digital penetration and growing retail footprints, we’re witnessing rising interest from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These markets are curious and aspirational – they’re asking the right questions and seeking value without compromising on quality or tradition.
What motivates Indian consumers to choose lab-grown over natural diamonds — price, size, ethics, or fashion?
It’s a mix of all these factors. Price and size remain the most compelling reasons, consumers love that they can afford a larger, more dazzling stone at a better value. But ethics and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, especially for younger buyers. There’s also a strong fashion-forward trend, where consumers enjoy experimenting with contemporary and bespoke designs that LGDs make more accessible.
How do you position your lab-grown diamond brand differently from traditional jewellers?
Limelight is built on the pillars of innovation, ethics, and education. Unlike traditional jewellers who may carry LGDs as an extension, we specialize in them. Our focus is on offering globally certified, high-quality lab-grown diamonds that are stylish yet sustainable. Our storytelling, marketing, and design aesthetics are all tailored to reflect the modern consumer’s values and lifestyle.
Are Indian weddings opening up to LGDs as a viable choice for bridal jewellery?
Absolutely. We’re seeing more brides and families opting for lab-grown diamond bridal sets, especially in urban India. The younger generation is reimagining traditions and they want elegance with ethics. With LGDs, brides can now wear their dream designs with larger stones without the premium price tag, and with the confidence of making a responsible choice.
What innovations in design or tech are helping LGD brands stand out?
Technology is the backbone of LGDs, but design innovation is what sets brands apart. At Limelight, we use CAD-driven design, 3D prototyping, and AI-enabled customization to deliver precision-crafted pieces. Additionally, the use of blockchain and digital certificates enhances traceability and transparency giving consumers confidence in their purchase.
Where do you see the lab-grown diamond market in India heading over the next five years?
We foresee exponential growth. As awareness deepens, prices stabilize, and acceptance broadens, LGDs will become a significant part of India’s fine jewellery market potentially contributing to 15–20% of the sector. Retail expansion, government support, and innovation will further catalyze this shift. We believe India can also become a global hub for both the manufacturing and consumption of lab-grown diamonds.
How can the LGD industry work collectively to create stronger ethical and environmental standards?
Collaboration is key. Industry stakeholders must come together to establish unified standards for sustainability, traceability, and ethical production. Third-party audits, global certifications, and industry-wide guidelines can build consumer confidence. Associations like IGDA (International Grown Diamond Association) are already making strides, and with collective effort, the LGD industry can lead a new era of conscious luxury.
JB Insights
Silver Show Of India – SSI 4th Edition – A Definitive Report On Product Offerings & Brand Showcases
A Celebration Of Silver Excellence: Showcasing Innovation, Heritage Craftsmanship, Luxury Design, and Emerging Trends Across India’s Silver Industry
The Silver Showcase India 4th Edition in Mumbai became the stage for an extraordinary convergence of heritage artistry, technological innovation, and contemporary luxury. From floating idols to regal woven gowns, the breadth of India’s silver craftsmanship was on breathtaking display.
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Anmol Silver
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Navkar unveiled the Shell & Silver Collection — a graceful marriage of sterling silver with the lustrous iridescence of mother-of-pearl. Accented with rubies and emeralds, the range strikes a confident balance between organic texture and gemstone brilliance.
MJR Silver
MASTERPIECE JEWELLERY
MJR Silver commanded attention with a magnificent oversized haaram emblazoned with the iconic MJR logo — a tour de force weaving together kundan setting, delicate paper casting, modern electroforming, and soulful hand nakashi work in a single statement piece.
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Lavira by Tirupati Gems
LADIES’ LIFESTYLE JEWELLERY
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Silverio Artesa
BROOCHES & STATEMENT NECKLACES
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Shree Omkar Jewellers
925 SILVER STATEMENT NECKLACES
Three distinct necklaces define the showcase: a gold-polished Pachi work piece; a magnificent Nakshi necklace with a central Goddess Lakshmi motif; and a dazzling diamond-finish creation with emerald accents and lustrous rhodium polish — each a tour of India’s royal jewellery traditions.
Tanvi & Co.
HERITAGE COLLECTION
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Purple Jewels
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Emerald Silver
INNOVATION MEETS DIVINITY
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Antariksh Jewellers
CHENNAI · TRADITIONAL POOJA SET
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Antaraa Silver
LUXURY LIFESTYLE ACCESSORIES
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Silver Artefacts & Home
Kraft Silver
EXTRAORDINARY SCULPTURAL DISPLAY
Kraft Silver commanded the floor with an extraordinary display of large-scale silver artefacts. A magnificent silver cow anchored the presentation as a centrepiece of devotional and artistic merit, while a silver sofa pushed the medium into unexpected lifestyle territory. A range of innovative decorative creations completed a showcase that challenged preconceptions about what silver craft can and should be — bold, confident, and expansive in ambition.
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Standout Individual Creations
Sukhraj
TRADITIONAL SATKA
A beautifully crafted traditional Satka (key holder) in silver celebrating Indian heritage. An elegant crescent moon motif with conical pendant is embellished with multi-hued colour stones, folk-art patterns, colourful beads, and shimmering gota patti accents — a striking fusion of artistry, colour, and tradition.
Silver Payal
FIVE-LAYERED ANKLET
A stunning silver payal crafted in an elegant five-layered structure, partially coated in gold and adorned with dazzling CZ and polki-inspired stones. The intricate detailing and harmonious blend of precious finishes transform this anklet into a true work of art, radiant and deeply rooted in South Asian jewellery tradition.
Silver Sindoor Dibbi
CEREMONIAL ACCESSORY
A beautifully crafted sindoor dibbi adorned with intricate geometric patterns and traditional shankh motifs. The elegantly designed lid is embellished with a striking dull orange onyx stone — a ceremonial object elevated to the level of heirloom through the precision of its making.
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Silver Gifting & Children’s Collections
MAA SILVER — Silver Start
TINY TREASURES. TIMELESS MEMORIES.
MAA Silver unveiled SILVER START, a thoughtfully curated gifting collection in 925 silver designed specifically for children. The range spans silver mugs, sippers, glasses, dinner sets, pacifiers, and medicine feeders — everyday essentials reimagined as cherished keepsakes. Each piece is embellished with popular cartoon characters and delightful motifs, combining the purity of silver with child-friendly design language. The collection is positioned as the ideal gifting solution for newborns, naming ceremonies, birthdays, and milestone celebrations.
House of Shah
EXCLUSIVE SILVER CREATIONS
House of Shah showcased its exclusive range of silver jewellery and innovative product offerings, with craftsmanship and design excellence at the forefront. The brand’s presentation affirmed its position as a destination for distinctive silver creation within India’s evolving luxury landscape.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.